Abstract
M.Tech. (Building Science)
A cross sectional survey was conducted in an air-conditioned building and a naturally ventilated building to establish the prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) in these Johannesburg buildings. Numerous studies conducted in other countries have found that the prevalence of SBS symptoms are usually higher in sealed airconditioned
buildings than naturally ventilated buildings.
The study was conducted in two stages namely a questionnaire and indoor environmental survey which was conducted in both buildings. The results of the questionnaire survey showed that: '
All symptom prevalences in both building populations were very closely related, however
the SBS symptoms in building B were more common than air-conditioned building.
The indoor environmental survey measured the following parameters: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, total nitrogen oxides, total non methane hydrocarbons, respirable dust, asbestos, sound levels. No measurements were above any threshold limit values or relevant scientifically acceptable standards, however in the air-conditioned building levels of some pollutants were higher than the naturally ventilated building.
The study found that the prevailences of SBS type symptoms in the naturally ventilated building were higher than those in the air-conditioned building. The type of building population could also affect the outcome as has been found by researchers in the United Kingdom. The predominant population in the naturally ventilated building
consisted of government employees which could have affected symptom prevalence.